Frame construction assembly including module elements for erecting buildings in sections

ABSTRACT

An assembly of module elements for houses and other structures, includes a plurality of slab-like wall elements which are received between pairs of stanchions which serve as a two-sided support for the wall elements. Horizontal thrust elements which extend transverse to the wall elements are each joined to the stanchions by a splice plates that extend through a slot in the inner stanchion.

United States Patet [191 Grung et a1.

[ FRAME CONSTRUCTION ASSEMBLY INCLUDING MODULE ELEMENTS FOR ERECTING BUILDINGS IN SECTIONS Inventors: Geir Grung, Sandvika; Ole Jan Skogen, Asker; Per Hoyclahl, Oslo, all of Norway Assignee: Sun House A/S Ltd. Filed: Apr. 19, 1971 Appl. No.:, 135,005

US. Cl 52/264, 52/281, 52/283 Int. Cl E04b 2/72, E04c 2/40 Field of Search 52/13, 71, 206, 293, 262, 52/263, 264, 274, 282, 481, 483, 497, 637, 645, 648, 515, 238, 241, 703, 281, 272, 90, 283

1 ,lune 11, 1974 2,293,569 8/1942 Sonino 52/206 2,363,862 11/1944 Hancock 1 52/645 2,663,915 12/1953 Dietrich 52/293 3,173,224 3/1965 Aagaard 52/11 3,289,360 12/1966 Gartner 1 52/13 3,457,698 7/1969 Albers 52/90 FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 67,622 3/1944 Norway 52/648 Primary Examiner-Henry C. Sutherland Assistant Examiner-James L. Ridgill, Jr. Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Larson, Taylor & l-linds 5 7 ABSTRACT 7 Claims, 8 Drawing Figures PATENTEDJUH 1 1 1914 SHEET R [If 7 k M @Q I FRAME CONSTRUCTION ASSEMBLY INCLUDING MODULE ELEMENTS FOR ERECTING BUILDINGS IN SECTIONS The object of the present invention is to provide a module system for house sections, which system renders it possible to erect buildings in accordance with the actual need in a simple and rapid manner, with moderate prices and so as to permit enlargements, assembly of several separate sections and rebuilding. Furthermore, it is an object of the invention to provide a system which also permits rapid and simple demounting. Another object is to provide house sections which need a minimum of space in a demounted state whereby'transportcosts are reduced to a minimum. Said house sections should, furthermore, be adaptable for any use, e.g. as a summer house, an ordinary residence, a school, a shopping facility, a motel, a service station, etc. It is a further object of the invention to provide house sections which easily and cheaply can be converted at any time so as to serve the desired aim and which can be moved to any desired location.

According to the present invention "the mentioned objects are achievedby a system of the stated kind, the characterizing features of which will appear from the following claims.

The invention will be described in detail below with reference to an embodiment shown in the drawings, where 7 FIG. 1 shows the basic structure of the frame constructionto the invention.

FIG. 2 shows an elevational view of the connection between two adjacent house sections.

FIG. 3 shows an elevational view and a plan view of the connection between vertical and horizontal elements of the frame construction as well as the assembly of stanchions, top girders, and roof panels.

FIG. 4 shows the connection between horizontal and vertical elements of the frame, a pair of stanchions serving as a vertical supporting construction for two adjacent house sections.

FIG. 5 shows a section through the edge portion of a roof panel according to the invention, said roof panel being secured to the top girder; this FIGURE also shows a section through the gutter according to the invention.

FIG. 6. shows a section through the edge portion of two adjacent roof panels.

FIG. 7 is a vertical section through the edge portions of two adjacent floor elements.

FIG. 8 shows an elevational view of a splice plate according to the invention.

A house section shown in cross section in FIG. 1, is supported by concrete foundations 20, which may consist of separate blocks, as parallel, elongated concrete elements or another sturdy support, depending on the nature of the ground. On the concrete foundations beams 21 are arranged running along the entire length of the section. On said beams the floor elements 22 to be described in detail below, are arranged side by side. In the present case the floor elements are secured to said beams 21 by angles fastened by wood screws. However, the beams may also consist of steel girders which e.g. may be riveted or screwed to the floor elements and the foundation resp.

The floor elements may consist of wooden frame 23 with laid-in insulating material and waterproof plywood 24 on top as well as weather protection felt on the underside (see FIG. 7). The floor elements, however, may comprise a core e.g. of reinforced plastic. To prevent an uneven deflection of the floor elements a splicing wedge 26 is arranged between two adjacent elements entering into two opposite grooves 27 in the floor elements, which grooves preferably are arranged in the middle of the length of the floor elements. In the upper portion of the joints 28 between the floor elements joint sealing material 29 is provided to seal off as well as absorb changes of the floor element dimensions. Ac cording to the preferred embodiment the floor elements have a width correspondingto the distance between the central planes of two frame constructions and a length corresponding to the distance between the central portions of two opposite wall elements.

The floor elements are held together by covering boards 11 running along the edge portions of the floor elements, and crossties 10. Said covering boards and crossties have a length corresponding to the width of a floor element and are centrally spliced by the floor ele ments, seen in their tranversal direction, thus to connect adjacent floor elements. In this manner a floor for the house section well braced in the horizontal plane is achieved.

Centrally above every joint between two adjacent floor elements a frame construction is erected. Said construction comprises two pairs of stanchions, each of which comprises an inner stanchion 1 and an outer stanchion 2. The inner stanchion ll rests on crossties 10, whereas the outer stanchion 2 runs downwards beyond the covering board 11. The stanchions land 2 are arranged at a mutual distance corresponding to the thickness of standard wall elements. The stanchions are the only vertical supporting elements of the house and serve as a two-sided support for the wall elements, which do not have any supporting function. As it will appear from FIG. 3, the wall elements are joined be tween the stanchions 1 and 2 with a joint which renders it possible to pass through connecting elements for the stanchions. Said connecting elements comprise a splice plate 8 to be described in detail below with reference to FIG/8 and transverse connecting means in the form of bolts 9. By pulling the stanchions I and 2 towards one another the wall elements are secured. Between the stanchions and the wall elements a joint cementing material 12 is provided sealing the joint between the wall elements against the wall inside as well as its outside, thus securing good insulation. The splice plate 8 holdingthe stanchions together on top consists of a steel plate provided with three pairs of holes 18 for through bolts 19. For the splice plate 8 the outer stanchion 2 is provided with a recess'which opens upwards and inwards, whereas there is a through recess in the inner stanchion 1. To facilitate the guidance of the bolts, guiding fittings 15 are arranged. On top the splice plate 8 is provided with two upward] bolts 16. The top girder 5 is a laminated pine beam provided with a longitudinal recess 5 for receiving the upper portion of the wall elements in order to prevent deflection in said elements. I

The stability of the house in a transverse direction of the frame construction is based on the disk effect of the wall elements which are clamped together between the outer and the inner stanchions in each frame.

The stability of the house in the frame plane is based on the fact that the frame is braced. This is achieved by securing thrust and tensile elements 7, e. g. of wood material, between two pairs of stanchions of a frame and secured to the splice plate 8 by bolts at the end of the protruding portion thereof as well as further inwards on the splice plate and to the inner stanchion i. In the preferred embodiment each thrust and tension element consists of two beams running on each side of the splice and stanchion resp. As distance pieces between the thrust and tensile elements 7 on the protruding end of the splice plate sockets 3 with a total length corresponding to the thickness of the stanchions are arranged. This assembly of stanchions and thrust and tensile elements by the aid of a splice plate 8 and bolts 9 and 19 provides a sturdy, well braced frame.

Between two pairs of stanchions there is a roof panel 30 in the form of a' partial cylinder having a parabolic cross section. The parabolic cross section provides an optimal bearing capacity. The roof panel will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. and 6. It comprises a core 31 of plastic foam and an upper surface layer 32 e.g. of reinforced plastic. The inner surface 33may consist of reinforced plastic, paste board or another suitable material or the plastic foam may be uncovered on the inside. For mutual guidance of the roof panelsat their joints the elements are provided with tongue 34 and groove 35 which may be formed in the plastic foam core itself. The joint 36 between elements is sealed off by plastic cloth or the like against the outside. The inner joint receives a ledge 38 of plastic foam or the like. Said ledge 38 serves to seal the joint as well as to form a connecting element between two roof panels, said ledge 38 protruding somewhat from the roof surface and thus absorbing any height differences occurring between the inner surfaces of the roof panels.

The parallel longitudinal edges of the roof elements are provided with a recess of square cross section for surface contact with the top girder 5. The recess is limited by a profile 39, preferably of reinforced'plastic having a M-shaped cross section, which profile is adhered to the outer surface layer 32. The roof panels are secured to the top girder by screws 40. The edge portions of the roof panels are provided withvertical, cylindrical borings for said screws 40. On the outside of the top girder 5 a finishing profile 6 having a similar recess as the roof panels is arranged. The top girder 5, the finishing profile 6 and the roof panel 30 form a chute which e.g. may be covered by plastic cloth 41 with plastic foam 42 underneath. The plastic cloth is secured to the outer layer of the roof panel 32 by the aid of an adhesive tape or the like 43 and placed below a fitting means 44 covering the end portion of the finishing profile and proceeding downwards over the finishing profile towards the chute. In this manner a very simple and sturdy gutter has been provided.

If it is desired to place two house sections with their facades facing each other, as indicated in FIGS. 2-4, the outer stanchion 2 is removed and replaced by a stanchion l and the second section is built in a corresponding manner. The sections will thus be symmetrical with respect to the central plane of the joint wall elements. The removal stanchions 2 can then be used as outer stanchions for the extension section. Also, the finishing profile 6 is moved to the outside of the second section. It is not necessary to use a splice plate 8 protruding beyond the stanchions on both sides of the pair of stanchions, since the braced connection of the first frame also will lend the necessary rigidity to the middle portion of the double frame construction. The gutter plastic cloth 41 is then secured to the new roof panels as well. The outside of the second section is constructed as shown in FIGS. 1 and 3. Thus, all elements can be used when a house built with the system according to the invention is extended. There is no waste and no special tools are needed for demounting or mounting. No new surface or other skilled work is needed. All elements are delivered prefabricated with surface finish and the only tools needed to build a house are screw drawers and wrenches.

The house is demountable, the only elements being destroyed in this prosess being the sealant over the joints between the roof panels and the sealant for the plastic chute on the roof surface. A new sealant, however, can be provided in a rapid and simple manner without special effort. All connecting elements are sealed off against the outer atmosphere (the heads of the stanchion bolts being placed in sealants covered by plastic plugs). Thus thermal bridges are avoided. F urthermore, all joints are provided'with a sealant so that there is no open connection between the inside of the house and the surrounding atmosphere.

Within the house partitions may be erected. Such partitions may e.g. bear against the inner stanchions l and be supported between two cooperating thrust and tensile elements 7.

In the space between two cooperating thrust and tensile elements a ledge may be arranged carrying a luminescent tube, which lies concealed within the formed chute and provides an agreable indirect light.

The end elements are placed outside the end frame construction. If a glass segment is arranged in the upper portion of the end facade, it can suitably be sealed onto the roof panel by a rubber profile which can absorb the deflection thereof.

We claim:

I. An assembly of module elements for building houses and other structures in sections, said assembly comprising a plurality of wall elements; supporting elements comprising at least two pairs of stanchions to be supported by floor elements, said stanchions comprising vertical members of rectangular cross-section; transverse connecting means joining the stanchions of each pair of stanchions in spaced relationship, the width of the space between the stanchions corresponding to the thickness of said wall elements and said pairs of stanchions receiving said wall elements in the space between the stanchions of the pairs to thereby serve as a two-sided support for said wall elements; and at least one thrust element, extending transverse to the wall elements received between the stanchions and connected to each stanchion of the pairs of stanchions at an upper portion thereof, for joining said pairs of stanchions together, said at least one thrust element comprising a horizontal member of rectangular cross-section; said stanchions including slots therein, and said assembly further comprising a splice plate which is received in said slots, which joins said at least one thrust element to said stanchions and which extends perpendicular to and is located between adjacent ends of the wall elements.

2. An assembly as claimed in claim 1 wherein the outermost stanchion of at least one of said pairs of stanchions is not supported at the lower end thereof by the floor elements, said outermost stanchion being supported by the connecting means joining the outermost stanchion to the other stanchion of said at least one pair of stanchions.

3. An assembly as claimed in claim 5 wherein said means joining said extension of saidsplice plate to said thrust elements and said means for joining said splice plate to said stanchions comprise bolt means.

4. An assembly as claimed in claim 3 wherein said connecting means joining the stanchions of said pairs of stanchions comprise through bolts.

5. An assemblyas claimed in claim 1 wherein said at least one thrust element comprises a pair of thrust elements, said assembly further comprising means joining said splice plate to said stanchions so as to form a rigid said girder means. 

1. An assembly of module elements for building houses and other structures in sections, said assembly comprising a plurality of wall elements; supporting elements comprising at least two pairs of stanchions to be supported by floor elements, said stanchions comprising vertical members of rectangular cross-section; transverse connecting means joining the stanchions of each pair of stanchions in spaced relationship, the width of the space between the stanchions corresponding to the thickness of said wall elements and said pairs of stanchions receiving said wall elements in the space between the stanchions of the pairs to thereby serve as a two-sided support for said wall elements; and at least one thrust element, extending transverse to the wall elements received between the stanchions and connected to each stanchion of the pairs of stanchions at an upper portion thereof, for joining said pairs of stanchions together, said at least one thrust element comprising a horizontal member of rectangular cross-section; said stanchions including slots therein, and said assembly further comprising a splice plate which is received in said slots, which joins said at least one thrust element to said stanchions and which extends perpendicular to and is located between adjacent ends of the wall elements.
 2. An assembly as claimed in claim 1 wherein the outermost stanchion of at least one of said pairs of stanchions is not supported at the lower end thereof by the floor elements, said outermost stanchion being supported by the connecting means joining the outermost stanchion to the other stanchion of said at least one pair of stanchions.
 3. An assembly as claimed in claim 5 wherein said means joining said extension of said splice plate to said thrust elements and said means for joining said splice plate to said stanchions comprise bolt means.
 4. An assembly as claimed in claim 3 wherein said connecting means joining the stanchions of said pairs of stanchions comprise through bolts.
 5. An assembly as claimed in claim 1 wherein said at least one thrust element comprises a pair of thrust elements, said assembly further comprising means joining said splice plate to said stanchions so as to form a rigid connection between said pair of stanchions and said thrust elements, the said slot in the innermost stanchion of the pair of stanchions extending completely therethrough so that the splice plate extends through said innermost stanchion to the outermost stanchion.
 6. An assembly as claimed in cLaim 1 further comprising upper girder means including a longitudinal recess receiving the upper portion of the uppermost wall element therein.
 7. An assembly as claimed in claim 6 wherein said splice plate further comprises first and second spaced, upwardly extending bolts joining said splice plate to said girder means. 